I'm Sure This Will Get Me Lynched!

[Zombabe]

I took my 2 and half year this past weekend and he loved ! ! He did awesome. I think it iall depends on the kids. If you think they can handle it then it doesnt matter what age. But some kids are gonna act that way no matter where they are. I have seen older kids there that act llike brats and i i have to roll my eyes and ignore. It all depends on the kids.

Shoot my problem come more from the adults than kids.

 

[stacy6552]

Those families that the OP is referring to would be just as miserable if their kids were older. They push too hard and they dont know their limits.

We have taken our children many many times since our youngest was under 1. While we haven't enjoyed ever minute, we do call it quits as soon as tensions start to creep in.

And the OP can lynch me right back, but stop going on vacation to judge everyone else. Go have fun and spread the magic.

 

[Elmo888]

I think that people who drag their kids (at whatever age) around the parks and don't follow the kids' needs (rest, food, over-stimulation, etc) are the ones we all see having a bad time.

I think that this is the key. Families need to cater to the "lowest common denominator". If one family member (whether it is the 2 yo, the 15 yo, or the 43 yo) is tired, hungry, etc., then it needs to be taken care of (whether it requires a drink and a sit, a snack, an entire meal, or a nap at the resort). (And DH can be crankier than DDs when he is hungry!)

Some people don't do this because they think that they have to get their "money's worth", which means different things to different people. To me, it means that everyone is happy and enjoying themselves, no matter where we are on our vacation. It doesn't mean spending every waking hour in the parks and trying to do everything in sight. (We paid for the resort, too, so we can enjoy it. We pay for our meals, too, so we can enjoy sitting and eating, too. It is all perspective.) In my opinion, our family will get the most out of experiences if everyone is comfortable (not tired, not hungry, not overstimulated).

Taking toddlers and preschoolers to WDW is a lot of work. Some people don't mind, and some people, like me, prefer not to do it. We did take DD2 in January, but that was really for DD6. DD6 (she was almost 7) was, in my words, due for a trip to WDW. I wouldn't have taken DD2 if I didn't have to. That's just me though, and everyone is different. So, that's why you'll see my toddler/preschooler at WDW. I didn't want her older sister to miss that prime WDW age when she still believes in magic.

 

[ZuZugal]

My husband and I both agreed that waiting til the kids were older was the right choice.


Is it worth the money for a few photo ops? The kids won't remember it.

Can someone tell me what I'm missing here?

I'm glad you waited to take your kids until they were older. That obviously was the right choice for your family. My kids all saw Disney for the first time under the age of 2 and that was the right choice for our family.

Yes, it was worth the money for a few "photo ops" and much more. Well worth the money. Again, a personal choice. What kind of a vacation are you having by the way when you have enough time to make so many observations of other families? Did you observe any other families or just those with small children? And, if you say you had an awesome time, did you post about that or was this your only post about your trip? I think we'll all get "the picture" if you answer that question for us.

Since you asked, yes I can tell you what you are missing. You are missing the fact that every family/couple has the right to make their vacation plans and go to Disney when they want. Period.

Just as a sideline....we're going in November. I'm sure every member of my family will have some sort of "meltdown" on the trip, adults included.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I have been going to WDW since I was 6. I decided to take my oldest when she was 2 1/2 and I left my DD 1, at the time, at home with DH. I knew that my little one just wouldn't be able to handle WDW at that time. Since i had been so many times, i didn't care that i had to go back to the room to take a nap or rest. I wanted this to be magical for her. It went really well as long as i kept in mind that we had to go at her pace. She doesn't remember it, but i have my pictures and i will always have my memoroes of DD seeing her "hero" Ariel for the first time. Nothing can take that memory away. Every since we have been going. NOw DD's are 6 and 7 and I am glad that i chose to take them at young ages. They still "beleive" in the Disney Magic. I don't know if they would if they were older. I am afraid i would miss the anxiousness of seeing the princess's. To me that's what Disney is for me now, being a mom. I always keep in mind that i enjoy them having a good time so i let them choose where we eat or what rides we go on. I can tell their body language when they need a break and they get it. It becomes so much more enjoyable when everyone can have a good time.
HOnestly i leave DH homw because he is the GRUMPY one, not the kids.

 

[bumbershoot]

"Suddenly this Target employee came over and gave the little boy a sticker and all was saved. And I was thanking, too bad my kid's woes can't be solved with a sticker anymore!"

Reminded me of a moment we had at DCA (by the way, our experiences during this week at DL/DCA sure have taught us something for a future trip to WDW!!!). DS was having a grand time getting absolutely soaked in one of their waterplay areas.

And then, it happened, instead of bonking into 3 year olds of the same size, and getting right up, he was run into by someone's 12 year old (perhaps HIS first trip there, and he was trying to make up for lost time? I don't know, but he was running around with little kids all around, and slammed into my guy and didn't apologize), went splat on the ground, and hurt his knees and palms. Oh he was so surprised, shocked, and in some amount of pain! Crying like crazy.

And Rudy-the-superhero-CM (who had already had to shoo 20-somethings away from the water area b/c of their horseplay endangering the little ones, and was lurking in case they came back) came around the corner, whipped out an Honorary Citizen button, and made it all better.

DS would have smiled for a sticker, too, but I don't know that Rudy had any stickers.

 

[ksumn1]

We took my oldest DD when she was 3. End of August, in the MK by the Pooh ride. We sat down to rest for a minute, got up and headed to the Tea Cups. I asked DH for the camera, and he didn't have it. He left it on the bench. He ran over and got it but we had a very (quiet) heated "discussion" about how he could forget the camera, he thought I had it yada yada yada. I look over and my DD is upset, quietly crying. She said I don't like it when you fight, and at that moment we realized we were done for the day. We were all hot, sweaty, tired....we'd been touring commando style for 3 days and it just caught up with us.

I think because WDW is a magical place. And you can have a great time. But Jane or Johnny is not going to turn into a perfectly well behave perfect child hust because it's WDW. If Jane needs a nap at 2:00 every day, take a nap. If Johnny needs to have a snack every 2 hours, have a snack every 2 hours. Keep your expectations realistic. Take it eay. I think alot of meltdowns are due to change of schedule, too much walking, and too much stimulation. I get a little froggy myself when I walk all over the park, without a break.

And one thing to remember is that a kid is a kid is a kid. Every child will have a meltdown somewhere. It may be at the grocery store, WalMart, the dr's office, a wedding, or even WDW. I personally think it's a little crazy to go to WDW as an adult and not expect to see a couple of meltdowns. It's WDW, not the symphony.

And I can't describe to joy of being there when your little one meets that Princess for the 1st time and they really truly belive. Priceless.

 

[caracap]

LOL, because (drum roll please...) we just returned with our 11 month old, 2 year old & 3 year old We enjoyed every moment of it!! I sweat a gallon, had aching legs from walking 10 miles a day, had biceps that were aching from holding one of my children practically all day(just to keep them happy, and not make them sit in a stroller all day), and even snapped at my DH maybe once a day for some reason ( but I do it at home too), but it was all worth to see my 3 year old son's eyes light up when he entered the MK, my 2 year old daughter's smile like I have never seen her smile before when she met Belle & the other princesses, and my 11 month old not stop clapping on 'It's A Small World." It melted my heart & gave me chills!! I can't say when they get older they will react the way they did this year. I do whatever I have to make my children's trips magical. We started bringing my son to DW at 11 months, so I am all for it.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I just got back also from a 11 day/10 night stay, yes we had our share of bad temperments--DD7-DS3, but 1 we found out that one of the reasons why my DS was SO cranky the 1st & 2nd day was because he & DD got bronchitis!!!! (That's a whole other story) but I was short tempered at times because it was so hot & MY DH doesn't really help out that much. It was our 1st time & next year when we go down I will definitely pack a little different. I KNOW that my children will remember it, my son is at home crying because he wants to go on Barnstormer with daddy again!! For me it was not "the photo op" which I did take alot, it was about my DD face meeting Cinderella for teh 1st time after going to BBB & in her Princess deluxe dress that she has had since she was 3 & for DS seeing his getting off of Barnstormer (4 x's) & Pirates (3x's) & for both of them seeing the fireworks (everytime!!) So yes, I may have been a little cranky-so was DS!! but I don't regret it!!! (No flames either )

 

[GoinToDisney]

Honestly, for me the weather plays a big part. I would not go in July or August, but Nov or December weather is great and I would take a child at any age during the nicer months. My dd whines so much more when she is hot and sweaty, and so do I! We took her at 17 months and at 29 months. She had so much fun both times. My dd is the type to just fall asleep in stroller when she is tired, and is pretty even-tempered. We would see when she was fading and find a quiet area to walk her to sleep. Then dh and I would find a nice spot to rest or child swar while she slept. She has not (yet) gotten to the point of a meltdown. She is used to spending days at Sesame Place (where there are a lot more water rides mixed with the dry attractions) and the only time she nears melt-down is when she is hot. Then I take my water bottle and pour it on her. She "chills" out instantly, so it is all about the weather for us.

 

[jemiaule]

Is it worth the money for a few photo ops?

Yup! This picture of my (then) 3 year old seeing fireworks for the first time is priceless to me.

The kids won't remember it.

Maybe your kids wouldn't have; mine did....and still do.

 

[ty&brenmom]

I took my sons over spring break last year (they were 5 and 10). It was a little sad, my oldest son loved all the rides, but didn't care about the characters. Not that he didn't have a blast, he talks about it non stop, but it wasn't "real" to him. Even my 5 year old didn't have all the magic, he told me that the only character that was real was buzz lighthyear.
Still it was a magical magical trip for the three of us, we have had some rough times.
And we had a few meltdowns, one was leaving animal kingdom and my youngest son was just crying about how he hated disney world, and I was mean for taking him there, and all he wanted was his auntie. But I am sure everyone around us survived and even if they didn't I don't think that my family has enough control over people to ruin their vacations
Now he talks about disney world every day and will ask is anyone at disney world today, and if we say yes, he tells me it's not fair, and why can't he be there everyday.
I wish that I was able to take them there when they were younger.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

I would not trade one moment at Disney with my little ones at any age.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

Yup! This picture of my (then) 3 year old seeing fireworks for the first time is priceless to me.

Maybe your kids wouldn't have; mine did....and still do.

Your son is so adorable- I love this picture

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Yup! This picture of my (then) 3 year old seeing fireworks for the first time is priceless to me.

Maybe your kids wouldn't have; mine did....and still do.

OMG! He is so cute! I just want to mush those little cheeks!

 

[ramarsh01]

I took my family of 4 ages 16,14, 6 and 4 to Disney back in august. Yes we had some bad times, i think the heat got to all of us but it was worth it. I didn't get to read all of the posts for this thread but I'm sure I'm not the first person to say this. If you to kids under 10 you have to mentally prepare yourself that you will not see and do everything. When i first started making plans for the trip i wanted to see and do everything but then i quickly realized that it is impossible. Yes i would have liked to have seen this or that but that would have caused more stress with little kids and that would have caused problems with the wife. We had a great time spent enough time at the parks saw most of the major attractions, seen enough characters and enjoyed the pool at the hotel.

 

[djblu883]

I go 1-2 times a year solo normally so I'm going for myself...the toddler gets to go because for her its FREE...she won't remember it but I WILL remember seeing her eyes light up when she sees her favorite (for now) characters. I chose to go for 9 days and use hopper passes so we can go at her pace not mine...meltdowns...just go back to the camper, rest, then go again....DGD already has so many Disney things we aren't worried she will melt down because she HAS to have a certain something and if she does then we will all just sit down til she cools down...fighting just makes a bad situation worse...its a vacation...take time to laugh, love and smile...but for little ones rest can make a big difference and I think that is why you see alot of over tired kids and adults meltdown....they want to do all they can because they have spent so much and there is so much to do they don't realize it doesn't all have to be done..the kids will enjoy it reguardless...I've chosen only a few things in each park for the days we go...extras as we see we can...

My family and I just returned from 9 days in the World. My kids are 9 and 11.
That being said, for the majority of our vacation we were inundated with crying babies and over-stimulated toddlers throwing tantrums and crying. Parents were sniping at each other, just terribly nasty!
My husband and I both agreed that waiting til the kids were older was the right choice.
What is the attraction to taking your kids there when they are so small? I'm not trying to sound nasty, but it seemed to me that the majority just were not enjoying it at ALL. The parents looked exhausted and as I said before, taking it out on each other.
Case in point. We were on the boat at DTD waiting to come back to our resort. The captain told us that a lightening storm was in the area and we'd all have to disembark and use alternate transportation. No problem for us. But the family ahead of us turned it into a disaster. It was a mom, dad, a three year old and an infant with a double stroller.
The mother started arguing with the father because we had to get off the boat. The poor guy didn't stand a chance. She sniped at him the whole way back to World of Disney where we took another turn. I mean, it's not his fault a storm was coming. She *could* have stayed on the boat in the lightening while sitting on her metal seat. lol
This was common place. People just nasty to each other. It was very hot and that makes tempers run short, but geez. This is supposed to be a vacation. And no one is enjoying it.
Is it worth the money for a few photo ops? The kids won't remember it. And the most expensive souvenier is going to be the marriage counselling you'll need afterwards.
I felt so badly for so many parents. Can someone tell me what I'm missing here?

 

[HeyNowFL]

My family and I just returned from 9 days in the World. My kids are 9 and 11.
That being said, for the majority of our vacation we were inundated with crying babies and over-stimulated toddlers throwing tantrums and crying. Parents were sniping at each other, just terribly nasty!
My husband and I both agreed that waiting til the kids were older was the right choice.
What is the attraction to taking your kids there when they are so small? I'm not trying to sound nasty, but it seemed to me that the majority just were not enjoying it at ALL. The parents looked exhausted and as I said before, taking it out on each other.
Case in point. We were on the boat at DTD waiting to come back to our resort. The captain told us that a lightening storm was in the area and we'd all have to disembark and use alternate transportation. No problem for us. But the family ahead of us turned it into a disaster. It was a mom, dad, a three year old and an infant with a double stroller.
The mother started arguing with the father because we had to get off the boat. The poor guy didn't stand a chance. She sniped at him the whole way back to World of Disney where we took another turn. I mean, it's not his fault a storm was coming. She *could* have stayed on the boat in the lightening while sitting on her metal seat. lol
This was common place. People just nasty to each other. It was very hot and that makes tempers run short, but geez. This is supposed to be a vacation. And no one is enjoying it.
Is it worth the money for a few photo ops? The kids won't remember it. And the most expensive souvenier is going to be the marriage counselling you'll need afterwards.
I felt so badly for so many parents. Can someone tell me what I'm missing here?

I haven't read the rest of the posts, but you are exactly right. I've witnessed the exact same thing every single trip I've ever been on. Miserable fathers are everywhere. I've never understood why parents would come to Disney and bring a baby or a 2 year old.

I was recently at the park with girls aged 6 months, 2, 4, 6, and 7. The 2 and 4 year old were both too young to enjoy most of the parks. The 6 month old had no idea what was going on, but she was fine in her stroller all day. Obviously, her mom didn't get to do very much.

The 2 and 4 year olds whined and complained most of the day about waiting in lines. They had to ride in the double stroller or be carried everywhere.

We didn't bring our 7 year old until she was almost 6. This was the perfect age for her first trip. She was tall enough to ride everything and understood that we would be waiting in lines. She was able to walk the park all day without a stroller.

It makes no sense at all to bring a child that is under 5 unless they have older siblings and one parent doesn't mind sitting with the younger kids while the other parent has fun with the older child.

Here is a good guideline to follow - if you need to rent a double stroller, you shouldn't be going. Wait a few years and bring the kids when they can walk.

 

[LovePug]

I haven't read the rest of the posts,

Ah, but maybe you should so you can see some of the positive experiences.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

I respectfully disagree with the earlier posters stroller guideline. Disney is a place for people of all ages including the little ones. It is a place for families to go and have a good time together There are MANY rides that the entire family can ride.

My kids go every year and LOVE it.